When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:36-38 ESV)
As I was reading this passage this morning, the following thoughts came to mind:
First, The Lord said to His disciples "pray earnestly to The Lord of the harvest." He is telling them to do this because "the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." The Lord is saying the same thing to his people today. The "mission field" for lack of a better term, is full of those who do not believe and yet in many places, the laborers are very, very few. Interesting enough, The Lord could have then set forth a discipleship plan for his disciples on how to "make disciple-makers." Instead what we have recorded here is pointed "pray earnestly to The Lord of the Harvest." Now, do not mistake me. I know that in Matthew 28 Christ tells his disciples to make disciples and I am in no way discounting the task of "making disciple-makers." What I desire to communicate this morning is the first and most important task in disciple-making. The call is clear for you and for me. We MUST PRAY TO THE LORD OF THE HARVEST!
Second, notice that the harvest is "the Lords." The passage says "pray earnestly to The Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into HIS HARVEST." (emphasis added). Though there is a very real "stirring of our emotions" and personal involvement in the task of proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, we must never forget that the harvest belongs to The Lord. Results are God's business, we must pray. We must sow by speaking the word, we must have compassion on others, as The Lord had compassion, we must hold the rope (financially) for those whom The Lord of Harvest is sending to His field, but we begin to lose sight and bring in corruption when we have taken our sight off the fact that this is the Lord's business, His harvest, and His mission, not ours.
In light of this, would your please pray to The Lord of the Harvest that He might send laborers into his harvest? Yes, we would ask you to also pray about becoming a monthly financial partner with us in this task, but we ask that this would only come through a glad heart that is motivated to do so by praying to The Lord to send out His laborers to His harvest.
Praying with you, that the Lord's way may be known in all the earth, that His salvation be made known among all Nations!
Aaron
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